Benefits for attending the career fair are:

1. Exapnding your network
2. Helping to define your career path
3. Finding out about job/internship opportunities
4. Latest industry and company news
5. Learn about companies within your field
6. Practice your elevator pitch
7. Develop your communication skills

Preparation is essential.

As a student-athlete, your time is limited so developing a winning plan for attending the career fair is important.

BEFORE THE FAIR:

1. Get your resume revised.
2. Make at least 10 copies of your resume and  make 5 extra copies.
3. Find out what companies will be attending the career fair.
4. Make a list of at least 10 companies you want to talk to about opporunities.
5. Rehearse your elevator pitch.
6. If required, register for the career fair.
7. Purchase clothing for the event.  Check with your school career services office the JcPenney SuitUp or about them possibly having a Career closet.
8. Have questions for each company recruiter.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

1. Company Name
2. Headquarter location
3. Mission/Vision
4.  Products/services
5. Company clients/competitors
6. Size of the company 
7. Recent company news

WHERE TO FIND THE INFORMATION:

1. Company website
2. Vault
3. LinkedIn

DURING THE FAIR:

1. Silence or turn off your phone.
2. Go alone.
3. No chewing gum. 
4. Be confidence.
5. Smile and look the recruiters in their eyes.

AFTER THE EVENT:

1. Send thank you emails to each person you spoke with.  In the message, add something you and the recurtier talked about in the conversation.  

RESOURCES:

1. UConn Center foe Career Devekopment- YouTube
2. A guide ro Crafting an Elevator Pitch for Career Fair

CHALLENGES:

Write out your goals for attending the career fair, then create a plan to achieve them,  After the event, review your goals to see how you did, what you would have done differently and then what improvement you will make to reach your goals the next time.